ROM EVENT - MIGRATING SONGBIRDS - OCT. 18

For the next month, 3 billion, miraculous, colorful songbirds are migrating through the city of Toronto on route to Latin America to spend the winter. They will stay there for 7 months and then head back north in the spring to the boreal forest - "Canada's songbird nursery of the north!" So keep your eyes peeled! At daybreak, they come down to rest and may be seen darting expertly among the foliage of your trees and shrubs in search of tasty insects. They are most likely Warblers. They move fast and can seem quite tiny. You may see some flashes of yellow which is a predominant color of many. They are refueling! By the time they reach Latin America, they will have flown approximately 5,000 km in the black of night!!
Please come out to this interesting event to learn more and to discover
what simple things you can do to help these miraculous migrants!
Miraculous Migrants:
Why Songbird Conservation Begins at Home!
Sunday, October 18, 1 - 3 pm
Please join Dr. Bridget Stutchbury of York University and Christina Sharma of Project CHIRP! at the Royal Ontario Museum for an informative and empowering talk on songbird conservation. Review present songbird population trends, causes and solutions, the miraculous feats of our migratory songbirds, and how to create songbird-friendly gardens. Discover how your choices as a consumer can protect critical songbird habitat.
Call 416-236-7234 for more information

MYSTERY MAMMAL CATCHES A FISH

Recently, one of our Sam Smith "on the spot" photographers forwarded a number of picks of our "mystery mammal" catching a fish.

Here are a few of the pictures for you to enjoy.

The hunt! The catch! The reward!!

STORM DESTRUCTION SURROUNDS SAM SMITH

Sam Smith Park was very lucky over the last three weeks to elude much of the tree damage that surrounding parks suffered.

At the end of July, Rotary Park, just to the east, endured major damage, which destroyed two trees and many downed branches.

This past weekend, Marie Curtis Park, just to the west, was featured on local Toronto newscasts, with six magnificent mature willow trees being knocked over and some damage to other tree's limbs.

Here are some views of the Marie Curtis willows, courtesy of George Raikou.

GOING BATTY

One of the interesting things to do at Sam Smith in the late evening on a night with a clear sky is to go out and watch the bats!

Bats are our friend and eat plenty of annoying insects which come out just before dark. One of the best places for viewing is near the eastern entrance at Thirteenth St.  Just stand beside the path as you come in look out to the north across the open field.  

You can easily spot them fluttering about silently as they swoop in a circle from tree to tree.

Photo courtesy George Raikou

GREBES EXPECTING AGAIN.

After the violent storms early in July, which wiped out the first nest and egg, our valiant grebes have shown some typical Sam Smith fortitude and rebuilt their watery abode.  There are at least 2 eggs currently, which were seen as of the end of July.

If all things go well, we can expect to see our first baby grebes sometime near the middle of August.

Additionally, the newest pair of grebes in the yacht basin are noisily mating and appear to be building a nest beside the orange buoy between the yachts and nest of our original pair.

With any luck we may be observing juvenile grebes well into September!

Photos courtesy of "snapnclk"

LEAVE IT TO BEAVERS

Angelicque James writes: "This evening my husband and I spotted three adult beavers, and 4 young beavers. We're not sure if it's all the same family, it seemed two young beavers hung around one very patient mama, and the other two hung around a very NOT patient mama. The male was seen on his own."

Here is some video of our beaver population provided by Angelicque;

Also, you can view some of Angelicque's other Sam Smith beaver videos;

Mama Beaver:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJHr4Pd-s0E 

Beaver Family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7nfjjY1No4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYTpQetWGsU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJEZM36b5YQ

Thanks for these great peeks into Sam Smith beaver life!!

LAKESHORE MARDI GRAS - AUGUST 7-9

Next weekend, August 7th to 9th, the 6th Annual Lakeshore Mardi Gras will be held at Colonel Sam Smith Park.

There are many concerts and performers to see...here is a list, as well as a link to the website...

http://lakeshoremardigras.ca

Friday

Free Concert in the Park
Main Stage Colonel Samuel Smith Park
 
6:30 to 8:15 PM Two For The Show
START 8:30 PM Fiddelstix
 
Saturday
Noon - 1:45 PM Harvest Moon
2:00-3:45 PM Spider Jones & The Fabulous Web
4:00-5:45 PM Uptown Express
6:00-7:45 PM George Oliver & Gangbuster
START 8:30 PM Honeymoon Suite
   
Sunday
Noon - 1:45 PM The Homeless Band
2:00- 3:45 PM Diva Mom's & The Three Dad's
4:00-4:45 PM Freedom Train
START 5:00 PM Paul James Band